Tuesday, August 31, 2010

It was a day without rain. Oh, there were a couple of light sprinkles, but no rain. We had a busy, productive day today. Morning errands, and a couple of 'art business' runs with Jaffee in the afternoon.

So, I was told that the 'Easy' song wouldn't be that easy, and I guess she's right. Lisa warned me that most of you wouldn't know it. Only one reply to a song that was a departure for a radio song at the time. Maybe you just need to 'hear' a little bit more. "My folks were always putting him down (down, down). They said he came from the wrong side of town. They told me he was bad, but I knew he was sad, that's why I fell for __ __ __ __ __." Clue: This song had everything: Drama, parents, sound effects, a motorcycle, and a tragic ending. The lead character is what you call an Alpha in the animal world. Hmm.

This morning Lisa was working on her art website, but our internet connection was so slow that it became very frustrating, trying to deal with large files. We solved the problem by going down to Doi Chaang Coffee, having a cup and using their WiFi, which is nice and fast. That's what we need at home. Now the hunt begins to see if that's possible.

We went to Work At Home bakery for some bread, and saw our friend Deirdre working on her computer there. We also had a brief 'Hello' visit from Jonathan, the 'house dog'. Then it was downtown to see the watch guy. He told us that last week's storm was two hours of heavy rain. No wonder there was so much flooding. There must have been some businesses that had real problems because they are still closed. I'm sure there will be some discussion about the condition of the storm drains around town after all this.

After lunch we went back to Doi Chaang and picked up Jaffee, who had a lead on some place to cut the big roll of polyethylene sheet he brought back from Bangkok. This is the material that Lisa uses as the basis for the cast acrylic prints that she makes. We went to a shop that makes signs and the guy can do the work. He's also an artist and we saw some of his work. We've driven past his shop countless times, and never knew there was an artist inside. So much here to uncover.

Across town we went to another spot that had been under the radar. Jaffee took us to a photo studio to see the 'on screen' result of a shot of one of her works. We had wanted to find a way to get a good representation of each piece. The studio is fairly new, and it's beautiful. We found out that it was designed by a man we know at the Night Bazaar who also designs clothing. On a very large Apple monitor, we saw Lisa's cast acrylic print, and it looked very accurate. That's when we got a lesson about screen calibration. The colors were true to the piece, and we couldn't tell that it was from a digital photo. The photographer studied in the U.S. and returned to Thailand about a year ago. I think we have a new art friend in the making.

Recently we've noticed a few spelling twists that deserve mention. On a drink menu there was a listing for a 'Babana Shake'. We knew what they meant, but it still made us smile. We have been told that 'R' and 'L' are interchangeable, mostly depending on where you are in the country. On a menu, 'Aracart' can either throw you off, or let you know that the western mouth would say 'Ala Cart'. Sometimes you just have to stay on your toes, or you'll miss something yummy.

Speaking of staying on your toes, today Lisa started teaching her girls again. Tye picks her up, and she always comes home with a few new Thai words to add to our arsenal. Today she learned 'Sunshine'. That's a good one to know, even though we haven't seen much. (Ha)

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace, Danny

"A real friend is one who walks inwhen the rest of the world walks out."~Unknown

Monday, August 30, 2010

The rain is still off and on here in Chiang Rai. Over the weekend we got a massage, went to the market, lunched with friends, and dined at a new spot with another friend. Today we finally got back in the pool.

The 'Old School' song was "You Send Me" by Sam Cooke. Apparently it brought back lots of memories for some.It's 'Easy Monday' and I've got a good one for you. "(Spoken) Is she really going out with him? Well, there she is. Let's ask her.... By the way, where'd you meet him? (Sung) I met him at the candy store, he turned around and smiled at me. You get the picture? (yes, we see) That's when I fell for __ __ __ __ __." Clue: The title, in five words, is about the status of the subject of the song. The name of the group is a mythical place.

The water from the sky is a big conversation piece up here. Everyone's talking about the storm from last Wednesday, and the dramas that resulted. Saturday we went to the market and got some material to cover the dog bed in the bedroom. While we were there we did our usual 'stroll', and got our usual treats. In the evening we got our weekly massage. It's such a nice break to spend the quiet time, and we always feel refreshed when we leave. I get an hour and a half massage and Lisa is now getting a two hour massage, with the last hour as an oil massage. I sat in the lobby when I finished, and watched a popular soap with the other operators. I couldn't understand what was being said, but the visual of this comedy was very funny. Someday I'll get it.

We were invited to lunch on Sunday by Gary and Baan, a couple we met at Lisa's first art exhibit. Gary bought one of her pieces. We met them at a resort near us, for the buffet lunch. We had a very nice time sharing stories of life in Thailand, and hearing about Gary's recent sailing adventure in the Mediterranean Sea. He helped sail a 50 foot catamaran for about a week. It was quite a tale.

After lunch we went out to Khun Ghan's to deliver the material for the dog bed. We also took her some batik material we got on Koh Lanta, for another bed spread. Her little shop is finished and it's beautiful. When we arrived she was fitting a blouse she had made for a neighbor, her two daughters were lounging on a bed, her two dogs were outside the door, and it was very mellow.

Sunday evening we had dinner with our friend Jaffe, who is now Lisa's art agent/manager. They discussed her upcoming show here in Chiang Rai in February, and talked about showing her work in Bangkok. He also told us about a trip to Laos that he's planning with some friends. It's for an film festival there in December, and he invited us to join them. It will be in Luang Prabang, which used to be the capitol, and is one of the cities that was not affected by the war. The trip involves a six-hour boat ride on the Maekong, among other things. We're looking into it.

There was sunshine this afternoon when I took Daku out after our nap. Just for kicks, I stuck my toe in the water to see how cold it was. It was very 'cool' from all the rain. We hadn't been in for many days so we suited up, only to find that it was colder than the 'foot test'. We went in anyway and had a nice swim. September is looking like it's going to be another month of activities. Life is still an adventure.

Have a Great Week.

Peace, Danny

"Use what talents you possess;the woods would be very silentif no birds sang except those that sang best."~Henry Van Dyke

Friday, August 27, 2010

Today was a quiet day in Chiang Rai. We ran an errand, and went back home. It sprinkled all day, so it was nice to be inside. We'll also look at yesterday's driving marathon.

The not so mysterious song was "You Were On My Mind" by The We Five. For 'Old School Friday' let's go back a few years. "At first I thought it was infatuation. But Ooo, it lasted so long. Now I find myself wanting to marry you and take you home. Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh __ __ __, I know __ __ __, I know __ __ __ Honest you do." Hint: This one should be easy. Three words that describe something that someone does to the singer.

The main purpose of our trip to Chiang Mai was to get some kind of stamp on our marriage license at the U.S. Counsel office to satisfy Immigration. We hired a van driver to drive us from the hotel, and wait. We arrived a little early, and went through the security ritual to gain admission. We knew from our first visit there, a few years ago, that one takes only what one needs. They empty out bags and purses and put everything in plastic bags. Simple is better. After the check, we went into a small room with not enough chairs where we waited past our appointment time, only to be told that they couldn't stamp the document. They could give us something with a government seal that vouched for the fact that what we were claiming was true. Good enough. We filled out a form, twice, and finally left with what we needed. The whole thing took one hour. I also found out that I can renew my passport through this office, by mail. Hmm.

We checked out of the hotel and began our journey to the Mae Sai immigration office. It was early enough in the day that I was confident that we could get there in plenty of time. Driving straight through, it would take about 4 hours. It was a very smooth drive, with no rain, not much traffic, and no reason to stop. We zipped past our usual coffee stop, our lunch favorite, and just focused on getting to the border. Everything worked out, and we got there in plenty of time. We had everything they wanted, even though they sort of forgot what they told us to do. In the end, we got our renewal, did our check-in procedure, and made sure we had our re-entry visas. Whew. The whole trip was over 300 kilometers.

This morning, when we went downtown, we noticed that the majority of businesses had piles of sandbags in front of their doors. Most business space has a 'bay' type front door. When they open for business they open a door that slides up from the bottom. This means that when it floods, the water can just come right inside. We hadn't seen the bags before we left for Chiang Mai, and the owner at the pharmacy told us that on Wednesday there was a big storm. It was from the edge of a typhoon that went over China. Our house had no problems at all. It's nice to know that we can be away, and the house can weather a storm without constant attention.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Don't forget, Formula One is back, and so are the 'Funnies'.

Peace, Danny

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb? Depends on the breed.

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid bulb.

Rottweiler: Make me.

Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls, and the furniture.

Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear, and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Wednesday morning the sky in Chiang Mai was perfect for going to the zoo. Cloudy with just a hint of a mist, and cool temperatures. It was also a good day to roam the freeway in search of an off-ramp.

I'm really blown away by how many of you knew this song. If you're close, but not real sure, we would like to help."So I went to the corner, just to ease my pains, yeah, just to ease my pains. I got troubles, whoa-oh, I got worries, whoa-oh, I came home again. When I woke up this morning __ __ __ __ __ ..." Clue: Oddly enough, there are five words in the title, and the same number of people in the group, whose number is part of their name. There, I've said too much.

On our adventure up the mountain with Ten, we kept seeing signs indicating that the zoo was on the same road. Since we set out without guidance, or a compass, we decided to return to the scene of the climb (5), and take the same road to find the zoo. The drive was much easier in the daylight, and the view was breathtaking. We went past the restaurant, and continued to see arrows pointing towards the zoo. Finally, we found it.

The Chiang Mai Zoo is set in a wonderful forest/jungle environment with roads that wind up and down the mountainside. We entered and parked where there was a tram station. While waiting we noticed a very large aviary with an entrance so we went inside. The enclosure contained a wide variety of plumed pigeons, peacocks, pheasants, and giant birds that had a prehistoric look. We took lots of photos, and felt very peaceful among the birds, especially since we were alone with them. Just as we came out of the aviary, the tram arrived and we began our tour of the rest of the zoo.

We were very impressed with all of the enclosures, and the effort that was made to keep them looking like natural habitats that also contained things for the animals to do. We saw white tigers, emu, elephants, bears, a wide variety of deer and antelope, various monkeys, a giraffe, and of course, the pandas. There were other exhibits that we didn't see like the aquarium, and the koalas. There will be plenty to see the next time we go.

The 'baby' panda is the big draw at this zoo. Lin Ping's name is half of her mothers name (Lin Hui-Beautiful Forest), and the name of the river that runs through Chiang Mai, the Ping river. Lin Ping is a little over a year old now, and when we went into the enclosure she and her mother were both sleeping. It was still exciting to see her way up in a corner sleeping on a rock. The environment for the two pandas has lots for them to do. There are things to climb on, a swing, and perches made to look like rocks sticking out of the side of the wall. Three walls of the giant room are painted with a mural of a mountain. The gift shop for the panda exhibit was crazy, with everything you could imagine taking on a panda theme. We'll definitely be going back.

After we left the zoo we went out on the highway to a place called Carrefore, which is described on our map as a 'hyper store'. Another interesting use of an English word. Inside Carrefore is a Home Pro store. We've been to both before and both times we've missed the exit. That meant that we had to drive way out of our way in order to turn around. Once we got back, we started at Home Pro. It's the kind of store that makes you realize how many things you didn't know you needed. (Ha) Anything to decorate, or improve the home is in this store. Stuff I didn't know existed. Things I could eventually find a use for if I put my mind to it. We ended up not getting anything. Now that's restraint. Carrefore is like Target on steroids. We looked a lot, had lunch, and went down the road to a big pet supply store. There we saw a little one year old Hedgehog. It belonged to the owner, and was fascinating.

That just about sums up our Wednesday in Chiang Mai. It was quite a tour of the city, and it left us not even wanting to tackle the Night Bazaar. Tomorrow I'll take you to the U.S. Consulate, and Mae Sai immigration.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace, Danny

"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."~Auguste Rodin

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Last night we went mountain climbing with our friend Ten. The true meaning of a hideaway was revealed. Read on.

'Easy Monday' turned out to be easy after all. I got mail from a bunch of you who had the right answer. At least you knew the song. It was "1-2-3" by Len Barry. Now it's time for 'Dealer's Choice', another way of saying it's something off the top of my head. "When I woke up this morning __ __ __ __ __, and __ __ __ __ __. I got troubles, whoa-oh, I got worries, whoa-oh, I got wounds to bind..." Hint: No, I have no idea where this is going, but it was a happy, bouncy song in the 60's by a group that's in keeping with our counting things. It's about someone being in the singers head. That's as close as I can get without giving it away.

We arrived at Ten's house yesterday evening at the appointed time. We were going to a "very special place," and he wanted me to drive. As we drove through the traffic, more was revealed about our destination. We had just turned onto the major street that has all the schools of Chiang Mai University. We could see how the road seemed to go straight toward a mountain. Ten said, in a casual tone, 'We're going up on that mountain, Doi Sutep'. Then he chuckled a bit. He told us we wouldn't be going all the way up, just a litten (little). The street had become a college district night bazaar, with food and clothing booths set up on the sidewalk. It was fascinating to see. Then we got to the end of the road and started up the mountain. Ten explained that he was afraid to drive it in his truck, and I totally understood. We wound around bend after bend, gradually climbing until finally, we reached the restaurant. it was built on the side of the mountain and the view of Chiang Mai was spectacular. We sat by a rail so we could see the view of the city spread out like a carpet of lights. There was the constant sound of a waterfall behind us, and it felt like we were 'out of town'.

After we ordered dinner, we heard what sounded like live music. Midway through dinner I spotted a guy with a guitar on an upper level and suspected he was in the band. I got curious and went up some stairs to discover a roaming quintet, connected to the house system with wireless mics, and instruments. It was a brilliant set-up. There was a young woman who sang most of the lead vocals, a guitar player/singer, a stand up bass player/singer, a violin/mandolin player, and a percussionist. They all wore what we used to call 'stingy brim' hats, and that was their little signature. They'd play a few songs in front of a table, and then move to another group of diners. By the end of our evening we were becoming fans. They sang a mix of Thai pop songs, and American oldies, in English. I think we enjoyed the atmosphere even more than the food. As we were leaving I noticed some tiny lights moving around on a big tree. It was as if there were hundreds of multicolored fireflies all around. It was produced by a small device that would be great on our waterfall. We are very grateful that Ten took us on our mountainside adventure because we would have never found the place otherwise.

Tomorrow I'll fill you in on today's trip to the zoo, and our further adventures of driving in Chiang Mai.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace, Danny

"Change and growth take place whena person has risked himself and dares tobecome involved with experimenting with his own life."~Herbert Otto

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

We've had some very 'friendly' weather today for our road trip. Chiang Mai is as busy as I remember, we got stuck in a good way, and we're going to dinner with a friend.

"A-B-C (A-B-C) fallin' in love with you was, easy for me (easy for me) and you can do it too. It's easy (it's so easy) like takin' candy, from a baby..." Clue: We just covered the first three letters of the alphabet, and yesterday we covered the first three counting things. Hmm.

The three hour drive to Chiang Mai was fairly routine. We had dry highway for most of the trip, stopped at our favorite little roadside coffee shop, and saw incredible jungle scenes along the way. With all the rain, some of our landmarks had changed due to all the 'new green'.

We're staying in a different hotel this time. It's right next door to the one we usually book, but it's much nicer. We got an upgrade to a large room on the 20th floor. There's a great view of the city, and it's very well lit. The only oddity is that it has twin beds. So, we'll either play Ozzie & Harriet, or move the nightstand and push the beds together. (Ha)

When going to an unknown destination in the big city, we take a taxi. That was the case today for our acupuncture appointment. Had no idea where it was, but after riding and watching, I think I could get there. The doctor is a very cordial woman who speaks a mix of English and Thai, and we got along great. She explained the source of my problem right away. Starting with my thumb, she went up my arm, pressing points where there was that kind of pain you only notice when someone presses on it. Each point she pressed was a place where a needle was inserted. There were also a few more for general health. I was told that I was very healthy. That made my day, now where's that Mickey D's? (555) Lisa got a little extra in her treatment. I knew they were setting up the electrical stimulation device, and I thought it was going alright until I heard a yelp from the bed beside me. A quick correction and everything was fine. Now we're planning for our next appointment.

Here's one from the 'Show must go on' department: Yesterday we went to the main market and as we entered the main section, the place seemed a little dim. That's because they had no power. Only the lights from the skylights were illuminating the place. A few merchants had candles lit, but the whole thing was eerie. They were still selling things, though I can't imagine buying fabric in the dark. I guess it was a result of all the lightning the night before.

This evening we're going to dinner with our friend Ten. Then we'll hit the Night Bazaar. It's such a different experience compared to Chiang Rai. Tomorrow we go to the zoo, the bookstore, the international food store, the art supply store, and swim in the hotel pool. Cheap thrills.

Monday, August 23, 2010

It has been said that you can make plans, but you can't plan results. Our travel plans changed, routines were re-established at home, and a thunder storm last night rocked the house. Oh, and I've finally posted some photos.

That 'Old School' song you were searching for was "Silhouettes" by The Rays. Fear not, 'Easy Monday' is next:"__ __ __, oh, that's how elementary it's gonna be, c'mon, let's fall in love. It's easy (it's so easy), like takin' candy, from a baby." Hint: Last week we learned the alphabet, this week we're learning to count.

We were supposed to drive down to Chiang Mai on Sunday so we could take care of some business at the US Consulate. It turns out that we can only do what we need to do on Tuesday or Thursday, and we need an appointment. The earliest we can see anyone is Thursday so we're going to go to Chiang Mai tomorrow. We have an acupuncture appointment in the afternoon, and then we're free until Thursday morning. The new plan is to visit the zoo on Wednesday, to see the baby Panda. Fun.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we've been enjoying 'short laps' in our little pool. Compared to the pool at Layana, it seems tiny. Doesn't matter, it's water and it's home. There were little things that happened on our trip that are worth mentioning. On the evening that we ate on the beach patio, one of the servers came by our table with insect repellent and offered to spray our arms and legs. Every room comes with two large umbrellas, since it rains a lot, and they have big pots to keep them in at the entrance to every building. Each morning that we were there we noticed large pots with flower arrangements floating on water. They gather Plumeria, Hibiscus, and many other flowers and make patterns in the water. Beauty all around.

On the afternoon of our anniversary, we asked housekeeping to wait until we knew we'd be away for a while. We left the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door, even though we weren't there. We found out later that Marge and some of her staff wanted to sneak into our room and decorate it like a 'Honeymoon Suite'. They were very disappointed that they couldn't do it. She and Bob just celebrated 40 years in July, and they want us to come back and celebrate 50 years with them. They really made us feel more like house guest than clients. Their caring really added to the magic of the experience.

Last night we had a thunder storm that surpassed any we've ever had. It went on for about 45 minutes, and a few times it was right over the house. We could feel the percussion of the thunder. It was so loud we couldn't even think about going to sleep. We just watched some tennis until the thunder was way off in the distance.

If you go to the Flickr site you will find two new 'sets' of photos. One is our 'Elephant Weekend at Anantara' and the other is for 'Layana'. Because Flickr uploaded things in reverse order, it will make much more sense to view the 'sets'. I still have more photos from Layana to load but there's enough to keep you busy. (Ha)

Have a Great Week.

Peace, Danny

"Find the seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower."~Shigenori Kameoka

Friday, August 20, 2010

Today was a travel day, but before we left Layana we learned some very interestng things.

The mid week song was 'Josie' by Steely Dan. For old school Friday, consider this: "Took a walk and passed your house, late last night. All the shades were pulled and drawn, way down tight..." Hint: This R&B Oldie has a clever ending. It's about the projection of an image. The group's name has been associated with light and gun. Hmm.

Knowing this was our last morning at Layana brought the same feelings I used to get on the last day of summer camp. Not wanting to leave, and already missing new friends. It began with the breakfast crew, then one of the tour guys, and it seemed like everywhere we turned, there was a smiling face that we'd encountered during our magical stay.

Packing our bags is getting to be pretty routine these days, so it didn't take long. Lisa wanted to check out the Andaman Sea one last time so we suited up and hit the beach. The water temp was great, and the tide was going out, but it was a little windy, and we weren't really looking to swim in the sea. We did, however, go for a morning 'swim and sun' in the pool, and that was nice. Any time we told a staff member that we were going home, they assumed it would be to another country. When we told them Chiang Rai, they talked about their desire to visit the north. As Bee put it, "My whole life has been the sea, I want to see the mountains, and the flowers."

While lounging in the pool, Bob came by. We had a couple of questions that we really wanted to ask him. We wanted to know if the resort was built before or after the 2004 tsunami. He told us that Layana had opened a month before the tsunami, and he gave us a vivid description of the sequence of events. They managed to keep all the guests and staff safe, but there was major damage to their brand new place.

Our next question was of a cultural nature. We knew that there was a large Muslim population on the island, and we knew that some of the men on the staff were Muslim. We asked if there were any Muslim women on staff. His answer was 'Yes', that if they were willing to work with their heads uncovered, they were welcome to work there. He told us that things are rather relaxed when it came to the rules of faith on the island. He said that working in the food service area during Ramadan was probably one of the hardest things for them to do, This is a time of fasting from sunrise to sundown.

Now we're home. Tye picked us up at the airport, and met us with our car all clean and shiny. The dogs did their usual crazy dance to welcome us home. As soon as I press 'send', it will be time to unpack the bags. There will be more reflexions on the Koh Lanta adventure next week.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. It's time for the 'Funnies'. (Thanks Alan)

Peace, Danny

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.. When she opens the door, there stands Bob , the next-door neighbor.. Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.' After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob , after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?' 'It was Bob the next door neighbor,' she replies. 'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Today was a busy, magical day on Koh Lanta. We kayaked, swam, carved fruit, got massaged, and dined with the sunset. More magic happened so stay tuned.

Now I know that email will reach me here on the island, but I've only heard from two of you with regards to the song. Here's the chorus: "When __ comes home, so good. She's the pride of the neighborhood. She's the raw flame, the live wire, she prays like a Roman with her eyes on fire..." Hint: If that doesn't bring it back, it was never there. (5)

This morning when we arrived at the dining room, our morning server, Aum, directed us to a table looking out on the ocean. It had a bowl of flowers, a special tablecloth, and the words 'Happy Wedding Anniversary' spelled out in sea shells. We were speechless. What a beautiful thing to do. That set the tone for the rest of the day.

We had a 9am appointment to go kayaking through the mangrove forest. Had no idea what we were getting into. It was kinda like the elephant thing. (Ha) A member of the hotel staff, Sure (pronounced Shu-ah) was to be our guide. We drove about 10 minutes to what they call Layana pier. This is where they keep the hotel watercraft. The actual walkway over the water is a scary set of planks, with a few holes for good measure. After putting on life vests, we climbed down to our Hobie Kayak. We were paddling on what is called a Klong. It looks like a big wide river, but it's ocean water. On both sides were Mangrove forests, dense with trees growing in the water. Their roots are actually deep down on the bottom, but at low tide, like today, you can see the roots. Inside the forest there are monkeys, fish, birds, and lots of crawling things. There are no resorts on the Klongs, and the eastern coast is all Mangrove.

Normally, guests go out in the kayaks for about 2 hours. That seemed a little long for us, especially considering that this was our first time. We paddled for what was a comfortable time, took some pictures, and told Sure that we were ready to head back to shore. We saw some houses by the boat dock that were all on stilts, over the water. Very quiet, interesting life style. Most of them were make of wood and thatch, with a few tin roofs.

We went from sitting on the water to swimming in it. The pool looked so refreshing after being in the sun that we took a morning swim. After a little more sun, it was time to change for lunch. We've made friends with most of the dining room staff, and Chef Claudio. We always seem to end up in a little conversation with him.

There was just enough time to relax a bit after lunch, before the 'Fruit Carving Class'. There was another couple at the table when we arrived. They had started on the first project, a carrot leaf. I'm not going to try and describe what we were supposed to do, but understand that mine didn't look like Chef Yui's. She made it look so easy. We worked on shallots, tomatoes, and a mango. We did OK with the onion, and tomato (made a flower). The mango 'flower' was a challenge that needs lots more explanation. We had to leave a few minutes early to get to our massage appointment across the compound.

As we walked in the door of the 'Linger Longer Spa', members of the always smiling staff whisked us away. We met our operators, changed, and just relaxed. It's interesting, after almost three years, to know the pattern of the Thai massage, and be able to sense the difference in styles and focus. Today's massage was very sensitive. Most of the time the transition from one thing to the next is a bit abrupt. Done with that, move on to this. Not so with Pen. She carefully moved her hands as if they were part of a dance. From her opening prayer, to the way she moved energy down my legs, I could tell she'd studied more than the basics. I went for an hour, and it was very relaxing. Lisa went for two hours, and after establishing what she wanted, had an OK time.

Before dinner we walked on the beach. The ocean was warmer than the pool today. We might have played longer but it started to sprinkle. While we waited for dinner the sky began the evening light show. Every time we'd look up it was different. Dinner was delicious. We saw Claudio before we ordered and asked him if he had any of the sweet rolls and muffins from breakfast. He checked and we put in an order for our dessert. As we were leaving we said good-bye to our evening servers.

Back in the room, relaxing, I heard a knock on the door. It was Pang, with an ice bucket, and a bottle of champagne. An anniversary gift. We respectfully declined, and since she insisted on replacing it with something, we asked for two ginger-ales, and some ice. We're gonna miss this place. We leave here at 12pm tomorrow, and should arrive home in Chiang Rai around 8:00 in the evening.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace, Danny

"A good traveler has no fixed plans,and is not intent on arriving."~Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Our first full day at Lanaya was quite an adventure. We toured the island, learned a lot, and dined to an amazing sunset. But first, we'll go back and 'meet the chef'.

'Easy Monday' just breezed on by with The Jackson Five singing "ABC". Now try this: "We're gonna break out the hats and hooters, when __ comes home. We're gonna rev up the motor scooters when __ comes home to stay, we're gonna park in the street, sleep on the beach and make it, throw down the jam till the girls say when. Lay down the law and break it, when __ comes home." Clue: This song, by a duo or group (5) that was more jazz than rock. It's a song about the homecoming of a neighborhood star. The title is this person's name.

Our first dinner at the resort turned out to be more than we expected. The menu read: 'Pan roasted, free-range chicken in a bed of zesty vegetable salsa." Not being one to experiment with salsa in Thailand, I asked if they could switch that part with the grilled veggies from another dish. No problem. Lisa enjoyed the Tasmanien salmon. She mentioned to our server that I couldn't eat dairy or soy. The next thing we knew Claudio, the head chef, was at our table. This soft-spoken, humble man made every effort to understand my food allergies, and told us that he would alert his staff. Anything we needed, just let them know.

This morning when we went for breakfast, I was immediately met by one of the young women of the serving crew. First she asked my room number. Then she recited my food issues and made sure she understood. Just as I was about to approach the buffet, Claudio came out and went over the whole display with me. He pointed out what had milk powder, what might have soy, and which food came from outside suppliers. Whew, more info that I bargained for, but how interesting that they were so serious about my comfort. I ordered scrambled eggs, and the cook asked me if olive oil was OK, and then showed me the bottle. Now it's as if I can't get away with anything around them. (Ha)

After breakfast we went to the 'Tour Desk' to talk about the things we wanted to do. There was lots of discussion, and finally we got the whole story about 'low season' options. It's not a good time of year for snorkeling, and the elephant ride would not be as good as in the north. We decided to rent a car and tour the island. When we got to the front desk to rent the car, I was shown a truck. It was captioned 'Rent or Service'. 'Service' meant that a driver would be supplied. We chose that option, and I'm so glad. There was so much to see, and I would have missed most of it trying to negotiate the winding roads. We got to see amazing vistas, a huge resort, and the Sea Gypsy village. (More on them later) We had lunch looking out on the Andaman Sea from the side of a mountain, and saw a village that was rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami. All over the island there are signs with local escape routes highlighted. Our driver, Noom, told us that there are a lot of Swedish expats living on Koh Lanta and they helped promote a joint venture between Sweden and Thailand to rebuild the little community we saw.

After our island tour we took a swim in the pool. It felt so huge after swimming in our little pool. We had a nice lazy swim, hung out on the lounge chairs, and then returned to our beautiful room. Later we went to the library and checked out a movie.

The whole day was great, weather wise, with just a few showers while we were driving around the island. This evening we had dinner on the deck outside of the restaurant. No sooner had we sat down, then I was pounced upon for a review of what I can't eat. After our server left, I joked with Lisa saying: 'Enough already, leave me alone'. We laughed and then realized that this was the first place to really get it. We had another delicious meal, and just as we were finishing, Claudio came out to our table to make sure everything was alright. We had a long conversation with him after he discovered that we lived in Chiang Rai. His wife is from Chiang Rai, but now lives in Chiang Mai with their daughter. We exchanged cards and told him to give us a call the next time he's in town. What a small world. The real treat tonight was the sunset. It went on for about 30 minutes or more, the sky was filled with shades of pink, with accents of dark gray from some of the cloud formations. As it waned, the ocean reflected the pink giving us quite a light show.

Could it be Wacky Wednesday?

Peace, Danny

"Never make your home in a place.Make a home for yourself inside your own head.You'll find what you need to furnish it -memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things.That way it will go with you wherever you journey."~Tad Williams

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

We've been traveling almost all day, but we're finally in Koh Lanta. The resort is incredible. Stay tuned for first impressions of Layana Resort.

Boy, did I get mail. 'Easy Monday' is back in the house. In case you missed the song, here's a bit more of the 'Easy':"Sit down girl, I think I love you. No, get up girl, show me what you can do. Shake it.... One, two, three baby oo oo __ __ __ baby, and now do re mi, baby now that's how easy love can be." Hint: I'll admit, some songs work better on paper than others, but we're talking about little boys singing about how simple love is. (Ha) The beginning of this verse is actually hollered, not sung. Maybe that will jar your memory.

This morning our friend Tye drove us to the airport. We left the house at 9am. Our bag was checked through to Krabi which meant we didn't have to lug it around during our transfer. While we were waiting to board, a very famous artist from Chiang Rai entered the room. We've seen him at many openings, and exhibits. Thawan Duchanee is a legend in the north, and throughout Thailand. Lisa went over and paid her respects. He is the creator of Ban Dam (The Black House) that I've written about.

Our flight to Bangkok was pretty routine. One hour in the air. What's funny is, after everyone was on the plane, it backed away from the terminal and just sat there. Lisa noted that it couldn't be that they were waiting for a clear runway. There was only one other plane at the airport and it was parked. We had a good laugh over that.

The flight from Bangkok to Krabi began with a bus ride to the plane, and then two flights of stairs to get on board. I have never before had to go through all of that. To make matters worse, there was an empty access dock going right up to the plane. I guess I'm not supposed to know why. Since we ate in the airport, we didn't eat either of the box lunches that were served. It's just as well. The landing in Krabi was enough to send the pilot back to the simulator for more practice. (Ha)

After getting our suitcase, we headed toward a crowd of van drivers from various hotels. We were met by a young man holding a sign with our names, who took our luggage and directed us to a waiting van. We spent the next two hours winding through the countryside, heading north to the ferry crossing. It was raining most of the way. Sometimes heavy, but mostly light. We passed many schools that were just ending for the day. This time of year, rain is a part of life so the kids just deal with it. We finally arrived at a dock where the van was driven onto a large barge type vessel. There are about three or four of these crossing the channel on a regular basis. We actually rode on two of these ferries before we got to the island. There were a lot of school kids who do this every day. As we left the last ferry, our driver pointed and said 'monkey'. Sure enough, on the shore there was a monkey messing with the contents of a basket on the front of a bike. The owner ran over, pulled off one of her shoes and threw it at the monkey who had already run away. When we got on shore more of them came out from behind a wall. There must have been five of six of them. This is the first time we've seen monkeys in Thailand.

When we arrived at Layana, we drove up a long, plumeria lined driveway. As the door to the van was opened, we were greeted by a woman holding two flower leis made of plumeria and jasmine. She led us to an outdoor lobby where we were given cold towels that smelled of exotic flowers, for wiping our hands and faces. After that, a fruity drink and then the check-in. Our guide drove us to our room in a golf cart, pointing out features along the way. There was the library where we could read newspapers, and check out DVDs, the gym, the restaurant, and finally the pool.

Ironically, our room number is 19, the same as the date of our anniversary. We entered our room to find more plumeria flowers placed here and there, a list of various pillows we could get from housekeeping, and so many nice touches that it's hard to remember. In the next couple of days I'll bring the whole experience into focus. Like our first dinner here. For now, it's time to relax.

Have a Happy Tuesday. A 'Thanks' to Christopher for today's quote.

Peace, Danny

"If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light.

Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fear."

Monday, August 16, 2010

The sunshine and rain continue to trade places here in Chiang Rai. Over the weekend there was a lunch date, a dinner party, and an artistic consultation. We got an answer to the traffic mystery, had some interesting sightings, and more adventures in the wild kingdom of the Big Brown House.

The 'Old School' song was "Sha-Boom" by The Chords. How could you miss that one? Never mind, it's time for 'Easy Monday', and I'm sure you'll remember this one: "You went to school to learn girl, things you never, never knew before, like 'I' before 'E' except after 'C', and why 2 plus 2 makes 4... __ __ __, it's easy as 1 2 3. As simple as do re mi...." Hint: This one is by 5 brothers and the alphabet is involved.

Saturday night we went into town for a dinner party with the gang from The Sold Project. We ate at Da Vinci's, an Italian restaurant owned by our friend Aye and her husband. We had a wonderful time meeting new people, and having lots of fun conversations. Aye came by and we told her we'd had trouble finding the acupuncturist she had told us about. She offered to drive us down to the location so we'd know where to go. After dinner we met her and she took us right to the spot. The reason we missed it was because the sign was all in Thai.

Sunday Lisa had lunch with our friend Sutheera. During the meal, Lisa commented on the heavy traffic in town last Sunday and Sutheera explained that all over Thailand the government was giving tests for employment. She was involved at Rachapat University, where she teaches. It seems that there were tests being given at all the schools in Chiang Rai. She told us there were 40,000 people testing in Chiang Rai. That explains the traffic.

Later in the day Sompong and Nine, the owners of 9 Gallery, came over with their two boys. Lisa wanted to show Sompong the work she was doing for her upcoming show. They spent time in her studio discussing her process, and talking about her use of colors, and how she achieves the final result. It was a stimulating conversation for both of them. The boys spent time in the yard, and I hung out with Nine. The show is now scheduled to open in mid February.

We went to the Night Bazaar for dinner and afterwards we walked around. There is a college student who plays her violin in the Bazaar for donations. She's a regular fixture there, and last night we saw a little girl about 2 or 3 years old standing in front of her with a tiny toy violin. She was bowing it with a straw. It was a charming sight. Today we spotted a policeman riding a pink motorcycle. I'm going to call him 'Officer Pink Bike'. I guess you ride what you've got. Amazing Thailand.

This evening we took the dogs out after dinner and Daku the hunter captured a bird. Lisa tried to get him to drop it but it was no use. Instinct prevailed. Oh my.

Our bag is half packed for our trip tomorrow. We fly down to Bangkok, and then transfer to a flight to Krabi. From there we'll take a hotel van to a ferry that will take us to the island of Koh Lanta, and then to the resort. The whole trip from the Krabi airport to the resort takes two and a half hours. Then we rest, and enjoy.

Have a Great Week.

Peace, Danny

"One does not discover new lands without consenting to losesight of the shore for a very long time."~André Gide

Friday, August 13, 2010

Today was the same as yesterday in Chiang Rai. Sunny, cloudy, humid during the day, and a storm in the late afternoon. This seems like a rainier rainy season. Today was also a day off for many people so the streets, and shops were crowded. I was in the middle of it. Hmm.

That song you didn't know was "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" by The Electric Prunes. Now the clues make sense. (5) It's time for 'Old School Friday', and I'll try to make it easy on you. "Oh, life could be a dream (__ __ ) if I could take you up to paradise up above (__ __) if you would tell me I'm the only one that you love, life could be a dream sweetheart. (Hello hello again, __ __ and hopin' we'll meet again) Hint: The title is more of a sound rather than words that mean anything. This '54 hit was by a group whose name is an important element in music.

Today was a bank holiday. I think it was arranged this way so people could have a four day weekend. At any rate, you could tell that it wasn't a regular day around here. I dropped Lisa off for a hair appointment, and braced myself for a visit to Big C. Armed with a list, and a growing knowledge of the store, I went forth. (Ha) I still enjoy watching families shopping together. Sometimes an aisle will be clogged with an entourage of 8 to 10 family members deciding on which item to get. Several generations at the big store. It's getting easier to tell the social structure as well. For the most part, there is an order of respect and privilege that is followed. The respect part is cool, but I notice some people giving way to others, almost in an act of submission. I don't think it's right, but it's not my country or culture. It is what it is. Anyway, I worked my way through the store and got everything on the list.

Meanwhile, back at the salon, while Lisa was getting her hair dried, I noticed a flyer for a fancy looking 'perm machine'. A few minutes later there was some activity at the end chair, and when I looked, there was a woman connected to the machine. Basically, it looked like the invention of a mad scientist in a 'B' movie, but it made sense. The hair was rolled up on rods, and then each rod was connected to a wire that went to the machine. The machine heated the rods, and I guess it gives controllable, uniform heat. Brilliant. We didn't get to see the results.

For some reason, today has felt like Saturday, all day. I came to a non-scientific conclusion as to why we have eye brows. Living in all this heat, and humidity causes one to perspire (sweat) a lot. While wiping my face I realized that there was a lot of moisture in my brows. The idea is that they keep the sweat from going into your eyes. (Within reason) Just another lesson from The Professor.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Enjoy the 'Funnies'.

Peace, Danny

A very elderly gentleman, (mid nineties) very well dressed, hair wellgroomed, great looking suit, flower in his lapel smelling slightly of agood after shave, presenting a well looked after image, walks into anupscale cocktail lounge. Seated at the bar is an elderly looking lady,(mid eighties).

The gentleman walks over, sits alongside of her, orders a drink, takesa sip, turns to her and says, "So tell me, do I come here often?"

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today was 'Mother Day' in the Kingdom, celebrating the birthday of the Queen. Most of the day was very nice, and then we got an afternoon storm.

Our current song is not a total mystery. Brenda knew it right away. There's a hint in the chorus, maybe. (Ha)"__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, too much to dream, I'm not ready to face the light. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __." Clue: The singer woke up overwhelmed from something that happened in his sleep.

The celebration of the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, but things didn't come to a halt here in Chiang Rai. Many shops and restaurants were open. The custom is for children to bring gifts to their mothers, and do special things for them in addition to honoring the Queen. Boot brought Lisa a beautiful, fragrant floral wreath. Many of the temples had services, and it looked like 'family day' on the streets. One interesting side note is that fathers don't do anything. Hmm.

This morning Lisa taught a two hour class for her two students. Since they didn't have school today, and there was no class on Tuesday, they had a marathon. Lisa declared that it would never happen again. Trying to keep two girls focused for two hours is a lot of work.

If you're in a part of the world that has true broadband internet, be grateful. We have a connection, but it's painfully slow. Still, we're able to keep up with the news of the world and get email. Of course the fact that we're on the edge of town probably has something to do with our present speed, but it's been faster in the past. Just another adjustment in the grand scheme of things.

Daku has become a very clever dog. He knows that when he and Lisa do their little 'training sessions' he gets a treat when he does a trick. When the mood strikes him, he'll pick up his rope toy and bring it to Lisa and drop it at her feet indicating that he's ready to play. In his mind that means that he'll get a treat. Sometimes it works.

We're starting to get excited about our upcoming adventure. I found out that there's lots of snorkeling in the area, and the best place is an island that's in the Marine Reserve. Plenty of colorful fish, and coral. We're also hoping to take an elephant ride into the rain forest. Oh my.

Have a Fabulous Thursday.

Peace, Danny

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget thatthe highest appreciation is not to utter words, but tolive by them."~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Another rainy day in Chiang Rai. We spent most of the day without the internet, had frustration at immigration, and got resolution on the cutting job around the pool. Tonight we'll let it wash away with a massage.

The 'Easy' song was "Brandy" by Looking Glass. My how the memory can fade. This should be a real test, for some:"Last night your shadow fell upon my lonely room. I touched your golden hair, and tasted your perfume...then came the dawn, and you were gone. You were gone, gone, gone. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __." Clue: This is song from the 60's by a group named after a fruit that's been aged, and plugged in. The title is 8 words about the night before. Hmm.

My visualization of a sunny day wasn't very effective. We hit the highway in a light rain, and it was off and on for about half of the trip to Mae Sai. Traffic was light so it wasn't so bad. When we presented our papers to the officer at immigration, he informed us that there is a new law that requires a stamp on our marriage license, from the U.S. Counsulate in Chiang Mai. We also can't present a joint bank account. So, we will be driving down to Chiang Mai week after next for a visit to the Consulate office. Oh yes, and next year we will visit immigration before it's time for renewal, to ask about new laws.

There isn't much point in describing what it's like to not have an internet connection. You probably know. I put in a call around 10:30am, and after a visit by two techs, and some work they did somewhere else, it came back at around 4pm. In the meantime, the crew from yesterday, that didn't cut the concrete right, returned, along with Johan's assistant who had discussed the mistake in the cutting. It all ended well, we didn't get charged, and some pressure has been relived on the pool walls. What surprised me was that they worked through the rain. I really expected them to either wait for it to clear or come back another day.

We're heading out to Arisara for a much needed massage. It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace, Danny

"Ability is what you're capable of doing.Motivation determines what you do.Attitude determines how well you do it."~Lou Holtz

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Morning rain, sunny afternoon, and not a forecast in sight. The rainy season is very unpredictable, except to say that you can count on rain. (555)

There must be a problem with email in America because I only got one response. My brother Denny knew this one. Here's the chorus. Maybe that will help: "The sailors say, '__, you're a fine girl. What a good wife you would be. But my life, my lover, my lady is the sea'." Clue: The name of the group is synonymous with a telescope. Yesterday's hint should have been enough. Hmm.

This morning we had a storm that was so heavy, all the lawns were flooded. The front yard looked like a lake. I don't think the ground has had time to recover from the last rain. In addition, the drain tubes embedded in the lawn are probably clogged. It all makes for a strange and eerie sight. By late afternoon it was fine, and the dogs could run around and play.

The workers came to cut the concrete on the deck this morning. Somehow there was a communication breakdown. Oh really? Not only did they think they were going to tear up the entire deck, they didn't follow the plan on the depth of the cut. It was less than half the depth we asked for. They'll be coming back tomorrow to discuss the mistake. I caught the first part of the 'breakdown' just as a young man was bringing a jack-hammer into the back yard. That could have been disastrous.

We have a tall tree in the back that hasn't filled out yet, but it has just enough foliage at the top for a nest. When we're in the pool we usually watch the happenings with the parents, and their nest. They take turns sitting on the nest, and it must be built pretty strong to have withstood the recent downpours. I'm sure we'll know when the chicks hatch. Oh, nature.

Tomorrow it's off to Mae Sai, early in the morning for our visa renewal. I'm visualizing sunny sky, and dry highway.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace, Danny

"Do not go where the path may lead;go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, August 9, 2010

The weekend weather was beautiful here in Chiang Rai. Friday's storm was the talk of the town. It seemed that it affected everyone. This morning it drizzled, and then it cleared. Daku is getting better, and has been released from his 'bondage'. No more cone. This afternoon we had a gathering by the pool.

The 'Old School' song was "Earth Angel" by The Penguins. If you don't know it, give it a listen. Now it's time for 'Easy Monday'. This is from the second verse: "And there's a girl in this harbor town, and she works layin' whiskey down. They say __, fetch another round. She serves them whiskey and wine. Hint: The title is a name, and it's also a beverage.

Saturday evening we went to 9 Gallery for the opening of a show featuring five artists. There was quite a range of work presented. Three of the artists were from Bangkok, and two were from Chiang Rai. Traditional, fantasy, and spiritual representations provided much stimulation, and lots to talk about. We connected with many of our artist friends.

Sunday we drove into town for lunch and found ourselves in the heaviest traffic we'd ever seen in Chiang Rai. It was as if some streets had been blocked off. We finally reached our destination, and I called our friend Third to see if he knew what was happening. He was just as puzzled as we were. The evening drive was a lot lighter. We enjoyed dinner at the Night Bazaar, and then strolled around.

This morning Johan came over with two women who were representing the man who will do some work on our pool deck. The work will begin tomorrow, if it doesn't rain. He has to make a cut in the deck surface all the way around the pool to relieve pressure on the pool walls. It's something that is normally done during the construction phase. After that we'll resurface the gutters and things should be secure.

In the afternoon our friend Deirdre, her friend Gail, who is visiting from Ireland, and our good friend Atom came over. We had a great time talking, swimming, and munching. Atom brought a dessert made from coconut milk and layers of a jelly made from a blue flower. A cross section looks like blue and white stripes. It was delicious.

Daku is back to his old self, running, playing, and generally enjoying life without the plastic cone around his neck. He and BamBam got to spend some time with our guests, which made everyone happy.

Tomorrow we'll pick up the final paperwork for our Wednesday trip to Mae Sai for our annual visa renewal. Looks like we're going to be busy over the next few days.

Friday, August 6, 2010

It rained all day here in Chiang Rai. Most of it was hard, stormy rain. The yards were flooded, the dogs frustrated, and a bunch of us disappointed. A planned swim party had to be canceled. Evening is here and it stopped raining. Hmm.

The song we struggled with was "Love's In Need Of Love Today" by Stevie Wonder. Now it's time for 'Old School Friday', and a song you should all know. It's from 1955, and was one of the first R&B songs to 'cross over' to the Pop charts. "(Oh, oh, oh, oh, wah-ah-ah, oh, oh, oh, oh) __ __, __ __ will you be mine? My darling dear, love you all the time. I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you." Clue: The title is in two words. It combines a heavenly body with a planet. He's really in love.

Today the car never left the driveway. We stayed in all day. There was nothing pressing, and with all the rain, it just didn't make sense to go out. It would storm, then stop and look like it was going to be a nice day. Then the very light sprinkle would begin and we knew what was to come. Boot went out while we were having lunch. She got caught by the rain, and got wet. There's just no way to ride a motorcycle in the rain and not get wet. I suppose there are sophisticated rain suits, but not in Chiang Rai. You ride, you get wet.

Throughout the morning there were numerous phone calls, and text messages regarding the pool party/hang out that was planned for this afternoon. The crew from The Sold Project were coming over with friends, and new volunteers. We had also invited Kwan, who had recently met the group, and Atom, who is in the same age range. We kept thinking the worst was over, and then is wasn't. The new plan is for Monday.

Tomorrow we'll go to 9 Gallery for the opening of a new exhibit. It will be nice to see our art community friends, and meet some new people. The Mayor of Chiang Rai is the presenter this time.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Time for the 'Funnies'.

Peace, Danny

A Note From Home

Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to getthe Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, wethought it was Sunday.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Today we had a major storm, a doctor visit, and lots of fixing around the house. Lisa finished another print, and ballet classes started again.

It seems that a few of you know this song. Sometimes we just remember the chorus, so here it is. Sing along:"__ __ __ __ __ __, don't delay, send your in right away. Hate's goin' 'round breaking many hearts. Stop it please, before it's gone too far. (mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm...)" Hint: What the world needs now, need more of itself. Is that obscure enough for ya? We used to call this singer 'Little' until he grew up.

This morning we had an appointment to take Daku back to the vet. We got there on time, but the doctor was out. The three of us waited patiently. Daku, in his 'daze', was a perfect gentleman. At one point, the office cat strolled in, and that really caught his attention. He couldn't take his eyes off the cat. We watched as they stared at each other. It was classic. There was a 'story' on the TV, and that caught my attention. It was a Japanese soap opera dubbed in Thai. We finally saw another doctor so the trip was not in vain. The patient is progressing, but he's still going to have to wear that 'cone' until things heal. He has adapted though, and has surrendered to the fact that he can't reach his tail. Oh yeah, on the way to the vet we passed a couple on a motorbike. The woman on the back was holding an IV bag that was attached to the guy driving the bike. What?

After our brief nap, it started raining. That's not unusual these days. Then it started raining really hard, the wind began to blow, and thunder appeared to be right over the house. It was one of those monsoon type storms that hits hard, and then tappers off to a drizzle. Everything seemed fine around the house, except for a minor leak in the seams of my studio door. The air filter in the bedroom required cleaning so I got out the manual and learned how to do it. Just as I was finishing Lisa noticed a burning smell. We tried to track it down, unplugging various things. It was one of our power back-up devices. I got the offender out of the room, and things are smelling normal again. I guess it did its job but overloaded.

Lisa has two new cast acrylic prints to add to her growing collection. She's incorporated a few new methods that have made the colors seem more brilliant. I can't wait for the show in February. It's going to be a very colorful affair. You should make it a point to stop by the gallery. (555)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Today we mostly stayed on the compound. The yard crew, and the pool guys did their things, and Boot got into the swing of things. Daku is feeling better, and the weather is the weather.

The 'Easy' song was "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes. I know it doesn't sing like that, but that's the title. "Good morn or evening friends, here's your friendly announcer. I have serious news to pass on to every-body. What I'm about to say could mean the world's disaster, could change your joy, and laughter to tears and pain. It's that __ __ __ __ __ __ ...." Clue: This tune from '76 is by a very gifted writer/artist. I wonder how many of you remember?

It was a busy day on the grounds of the Big Brown House. Khun Kek and his crew came to groom the grounds. He's going to put vitamins on the lawn, which means it will probably grow even faster. Hmm. We're adding a few more bushes to cover some blank wall space, and complete the picture. The pool guys showed up, and at one point it looked like the whole yard was crawling with activity.

Some of the medication that Daku is taking makes him very lethargic. Today he sort of snapped out of it, and we saw his personality again. It's hard to watch him just stare into space. He goes back to the doctor tomorrow for a follow-up visit. This will pass, and the real Daku will be back before we know it.

Tonight we go for a massage. It's been a week and a half since our last one. Right now there are patches of blue sky, and a downpour over our neighborhood. It would be nice if it was clear for our evening out. If not, we take the umbrellas and do what everybody else does.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace, Danny

"The world is round, and the place which may seem likethe end may also be only the beginning."~Ivy Baker Priest

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

This morning Boot returned. The dogs are very happy, and we are also happy. We covered a lot of territory in town today.

There's nothin' like an easy song on 'Easy Monday'. I just love getting mail. Maybe today the rest of you will write."Set me free, why don't cha babe. Get out my life, why don't cha babe. (Ooo, Ooo, Ooo) 'Cause you don't really love me, __ __ __ __ __ __..." Clue: The title of the song is not exactly the way it's sung. If you get confused, it's OK. After all, it's supposed to be 'Easy'. Ha.

When we got Boot's call to say that she was back in Chiang Rai, there was a sigh of relief that could be heard throughout the house. It's not that we can't take care of ourselves, but with Daku in such a dramatic state, we really missed the extra help. When we got to the house, BamBam saw the car from the front door and went into her little spinning dance. She twirls around in a circle, pivoting on her hind legs. Daku was upstairs, in a daze, and when he heard Boot's voice he popped up and his tail started wagging like crazy. They had a warm reunion and then she knelt and just held him for awhile. She spent the rest of the day relaxing, and getting over the long trip.

We went to Big C for lunch and supplies. For the first time since we've been living in Chiang Rai, we ate at KFC. It was different than the one in Chiang Mai. The food was quite good. One thing that I should mention is the fact that I worked real hard at following cultural convention. I ate my chicken with a knife and fork. Fried chicken and pizza are usually eaten with the fingers. At least that's what I always thought. Here, it's so amazing to see people cutting a slice of pizza into bite-size portions. I did pretty good with my lunch, but I broke down at the end and picked up a bone, and some fries. How uncouth. After our meal we just got up and left. They bus the tables for you. Hmm.

After a successful trip upstairs to Big C, we went in search of an acupuncture clinic that we'd been told about. We didn't find it, but we got to see another part of town. We made a few stops to finalize our Koh Lanta trip, and went to the little market for veggies, and chicken. From there we went home, stopping at the roadside fruit stand for watermelon, and pineapple.

In Thailand, the pedestrian has no right of way, unless there is someone directing traffic. There also don't seem to be any laws regarding 'J' walking. If you need to cross the street, you just cross. You might get to the middle of the street and have to wait, but you can do it if you're brave enough. Yesterday, we were in slow traffic when I noticed three school girls half way across the street. I paused to let them cross and one of them 'wai'd' me. That's the first time that's happened. It was such a nice gesture.

There are some sounds that we find we've gotten used to. Like the chickens across the field behind our house. Or the sound of the small geckos who live with us. One thing that still grates on the senses are the loudspeaker trucks. It's rare that they come down our road, but today in town one of them was blasting an ad for something. It struck me that this was noise pollution. I often wonder how a certain practice would be accepted in Culver City. This would not fly at all. Of course, it's the perfect way to get your political message out, or sell product. But can you imagine? Another reason this place is amazing.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace, Danny

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that weseek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."~Martin Luther King Jr

Monday, August 2, 2010

The rain continues, off and on but the days are still beautiful. We've been to the market, the pool, and the vet. We've hung out with friends, and made plans to take a trip for our anniversary.

A few of you knew that our 'Old School' song was "Over The Mountain" by Jonnie & Joe. Some of you have complained that the 'Easy Monday' songs were too easy. This week we'll start with the first verse and see how easy it comes to you: "Why do you keep comin' around playin' with my heart? Why don't you get out of my life, and let me make a brand new start? Let me get over you the way you've gotten over me..." Hint: This supremely popular trio became icons in the 60's. The title is in five words, and it has to do with someone not letting go.

Most of the weekend was a combination of clouds, and sunshine. Fortunately each day seemed to give us a window of opportunity to take a dip in the pool.

With Boot in Rayong for the week, we had to do a little marketing for ourselves. We go to the 'little market' for chicken, fish, and vegetables. The vendors know us now and it's very pleasant to shop. The 'big market' is mainly where we go for 'shopping', and treats. There are a lot more choices for some food items, but most of it we don't eat.

During our travels we saw an unusual sight. At an intersection on the Super Highway there is a vacant lot. While sitting at a traffic light I looked over and saw a small white horse. It was tethered, so it belongs to someone, but it just seemed so out of place. We don't see many horses around here so it was especially curious, and intriguing. Hmm.

We have our 40th anniversary coming up so we decided to do something special. Last year we went south to the city of Krabi, and stayed on the Andaman Sea. This year we're going to go on our first island adventure. People have been telling us about the beauty of Koh Lanta so we did some research. There is a resort that I found that looks amazing so we booked three nights. We'll be going down there on the 17th of this month, and returning on the 20th. There are long stretches of white beaches, a rain forest, and a marine park. You can check out the place we're staying at: http://www.layanaresort.com/index.php

Mr. Daku is going through another 'allergic reaction', according to the vet. This time it's at the base of his tail so he has to wear one of those collars, which he hates. Because he's so big, we have to keep him in the kitchen where he can't crash into anything breakable. It's thrown all of us off a bit. BamBam is upset, and we miss having him upstairs with us. Hopefully it will clear up soon, and he can be 'free'.

Have a Great Week.

Peace, Danny

"The most important thing I have learned over the years isthe difference between taking one's work seriously andtaking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and thesecond disastrous."~Margaret Fontey

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Cast of Characters

In September of 2007, my wife Lisa and I moved to Chiang Rai Thailand. This site is my reflections, observations, and the daily happenings of an expatriot living in another land.

By now you're probably scratching your head, wondering 'who are these people?'. These are frequently mentioned names in the daily messages.

August (18) and C-Bass (23) are our GodSons. We've been in their lives since they were born. Jeff and Anna are their parents.Joe is Lisa's Dad, there are Bay Area Cousins, Valley Cousins, NH Cousins, and San Diego Cousins.

Here in Thailand, there's Natcha, who cooks, cleans and teaches us, her husband Gong, who takes care of the grounds and also cooks. Nitchanan is the 2 1/2 year old daughter of Natcha and Gong. Cat is a 21 year old Thai student who was with us since October 2013 and is now attending college. And then there's Daku, our Golden Retriever who is 9 years old. We got him when he was only 5 weeks old.I think that about does it for now,